Volume 17, Number 1, 2004 Contents: O. Katai, Introduction. M. Itoh, T. Inagaki, A Microworld Approach to Identifying Issues of Human-Automation Systems Design for Supporting Operator's Situation Awareness. T. Koiso, S. Nishida, M. Nakatani, Evaluation of Organizational Structure in Emergency From the Viewpoint of Communication. T. Watanabe, M. Okubo, M. Nakashige, R. Danbara, InterActor: Speech Driven Embodied Interactive Actor. T. Hatakeyama, F. Hagiwara, H. Koike, K. Ito, H. Ohkubo, C.W. Bond, M. Kasuga, Remote Infrared Audible Signage System. T. Shiose, T. Sawaragi, A. Nakajima, H. Ishihara, Design of Interactive Skill-Transfer Agent From a Viewpoint of Ecological Psychology. T. Watanabe, M. Ogikubo, Y. Ishii, Visualization of Respiration in the Embodied Virtual Communication System and Its Evaluation. M. Kurosu, T. Kobayashi, R. Yoshitake, H. Takahashi, H. Urokohara, D. Sato, Trends in Usability Research and Activities in Japan.